Sitting on the veranda enjoying the autumn sunshine, the aging couple began to reminisce about their long years together. Remembering the courtship years filled with the joy of new found love and the thrill of each other’s companionship, they sparkled with delight as they recalled the long conversations they had together, often about nothing in particular. Those and other conversations led them both to realize that the other might in fact be “the one.” As each one began to think about the m word (marriage), the conversations turned to serious issues about what each one wanted out of life – children, type of lifestyle, religion, and financial issues. These conversations led them to confirm, “ He/ she is the one.”

With marriage came more conversations about the children, money, conflicts, which offered opportunities to adjust and strengthen their relationship as each partner came to understand his or her changing role in the family. The roles of each partner required frequent adjustments as family, financial, and health issues surfaced; some of which were very unexpected and difficult to manage. The conversations continued in each phase of their relationship; some brought forth contentious issues that required patience and deep seated love to resolve. But resolve them they did. Now as they ruminate over those difficult talks, they wonder why they were so contentious, why the issues were so important as to cause such anxiety. Now they both agree that the issues debated were not worthy of even being discussed. They smiled and glanced at each other with the look of love, thankful they successfully traversed what could have resulted in a breakup of the relationship.  

With the children grown and in the process of forming their own destinies, the couple could ponder the road that they had traveled together and wonder about the love they have for each other; a love that approached the spiritual. They seemed to know what the other was thinking even before anything was said. They treasured the memories of raising the children, the worries, the family laughter, the individual triumphs and setbacks of each of the kids. Again the conversations continued, as each partner supported the other… and the love for each grew. No, the love was not always equally strong or emotional, but each knew it was necessary…. And it was there for both.

Now in the twilight of their years, their love is more powerful and consuming than ever before. It is the result of years of working at loving each other, sometimes when it was difficult to do so, requiring significant effort. And the conversations continue and will continue until God chooses to end them….temporarily, until the union is renewed permanently in heaven.

When a catholic attends Mass, He frequently hears the priest pleading with him to develop of relationship with Jesus. Seldom is any advice provided on exactly how one should approach this task. Yet the example of the building and developing the relationship in marriage applies to the building a relationship with Jesus.  Take time to meet Him and get to know who He is by reading the Bible and religious articles and books. Talk with Him; this is called prayer. It is important to talk with Him, which means that one should take time to listen to Him. There will be ups and downs in the relationship over time, but, just as in a satisfying marriage, patience, love, and effort will see the relationship through difficult times. In the end one will wonder, just like the marriage partners did, why the discordant issues were ever a problem.

Prayer, prayer, and more prayer, whether it be in the form of formal prayers, such as saying the rosary or attending Mass or participating in a study group, or in a one on one conversation with Jesus, is the answer to the building of a relationship with Jesus. Similar to the example of the married couple, trust and conversations with Jesus will create the lasting relationship, which will be fulfilled partially on earth and completely in heaven when God calls one.

Pray….always!

 “Prayer is the application of the mind to Divine things, not merely to acquire knowledge of them but to make use of such knowledge as a means of union with God.”  Catholic Encyclopedia